Telling a child that a parent or loved one has cancer is never easy. Dealing with unknowns and possible outcomes can cause a lot of anxiety and stress. However, being honest and keeping an open line of communication will go a long way toward beginning a conversation about cancer, what it means for a family and a child’s part in it.
Instructions
1. Give them the facts. Tell your children the truth about what’s happening and what treatment is being considered. Don’t allow children the opportunity to imagine or fill in the blanks with their own ideas. Consider your child’s age and how much she understands about serious illnesses as a guide to how much detail to offer. Reassure your child that her needs will continue to be met; it may be by a different family member, but in no way will she be neglected. Prepare your child for the physical changes (hair loss, weight loss) that may occur as a result of treatment.
2. Listen to your child’s concerns or questions. Encourage him to open up and express his feelings about what he's been told and how life has changed. Be honest with your child if you don’t have an answer to a question. Seek an answer together, which will go a long way to helping him feel involved in the process.
3. Let them take a part. Help kids to feel involved by allowing them to get involved in caring for the individual with cancer. Allow them to do little but important things like bring a bottle of water or a blanket. Let your child bring you the paper or read it to you if he's old enough, on treatment days when energy may be lacking.
Tags: your child, about what, child that, feel involved, will long
